1. Peer Relationships

2. Who Are Your Peers
PEERS- people close to you in age who are a lot like you.
May be classmates, neighbors, friends, teammates.
May also be an ACQUAINTANCE- someone you see occasionally or know casually.
You may have never meet them but you have something in common.

3. Friendships During the Teen Years
FRIENDSHIP- is a relationship with someone you know, trust, and regard with affection.
Usually begin with a common interest.
Peers are those around you, friends are those you choose to build relationships with.

4. What Makes a Good Friend
RELIABLE- trustworthy and dependable.
You do what you say you will do.
Do not talk negatively to others about friends.
Shared Values
You value the same things
LOYAL- faithful
Stick together through good and bad.
Respect and honor each others values, beliefs and differences.
Caring
Shown by being interested in the other person
Is a good listener and pays attention.

5. What Makes a Good Friend
SYMPATHETIC- aware of how others may be feeling at a given moment.
Understand and respect how others are feeling
Trust
Proven through reliability and loyalty.
Respect
Has self respect and respect for others.
Also show respect for each others values and differences
Give time and attention to each other

6. Making New Friends
Most common places to meet friends for pre-teens and teens are
School
Neighborhood
Shared activities
Challenges to making fiends
Moving
Changing grades
Changing schools

7. Making New Friends Be yourself Break the ice
Identify your values and beliefs and interest.
Break the ice
Start a conversation with a compliment or question
If you share the same interest it may be a good start.
Seek out teens who share your interests
Join clubs, sports, community groups
Join a group that works for a cause you support
Will also show citizenship to others
Will also help your community

8. Strengthening Friendships
Spend time together
The more time you spend the better you get to know someone
Participate in common interests
Communicate openly and honestly
Builds trust and respect
Help each other through hard times
Be supportive and sympathetic
Don’t just hang around during the good times
Respect each others differences
Not everyone is exactly alike.

9. Strengthening Friendships
Encourage each other to reach goals
Be giving in your time and attention
Be supportive
Identify problems and work to solve them
Problems one friend has
Another point of view may be helpful
Problems between friends
Use good communication skills
Be honest and truthful

10. Peer Pressure
PEER PRESSURE- the influence that your peer group has on you.
Influence can be direct or indirect
Indirect is what you see your peers doing and want to do it as well. No one is forcing you.
Direct is when someone tells you what you should do to fit in.

11. Positive and Negative Peer Pressure
Positive peer pressure helps you make healthy choices in all three aspects of health.
Examples?
Negative peer pressure may make unhealthy or unsafe choices.
May pressure you to do something you do not want to.
The choice is your to make.
Encouraging someone to do something harmful or illegal.
Dares, threats, teasing, name calling

12. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Use H.E.L.P. (Healthful, Ethical, Legal, Parent Approved)
If what is suggested does not meet help refuse
Ways to resist
Avoid the situation
Use ASSERTIVE RESPONSES- state your position strongly and confidently
Say no.
Focus on the issue
Give reasons for your choice, avoid trading insults.
Walk away